BIBLIOGRAPHY: Gaiman, Neil. 2008. The Graveyard Book. Ill. by Dave McKean. New York: HarperCollins Children's Books. ISBN 0060530944
PLOT SUMMARY: Escaping his family's murderer, Bod lives in a cemetery, raised by ghosts, educated by werewolves and hides from the killer.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS: Teen reader will enjoy this tale of an orphan boy Nobody Owens, who is raised by ghost in a grave yard, after this real family is murdered. The murderer is still after him and to keep him safe, he finds his way to a graveyard, where he is adopted by ghosts. The setting itself will be intriguing to the teen reader. Walking among grave sites, speaking to the inhabitants, sleeping in a crypt and living among the dead may appeal to the teen readers, who are into death, Gothic themes and supernatural elements. The other characters, ghosts as friends, escaping ghouls and having a werewolf/hound of hell as a substitute teacher, add to the mystery of the plot and with entertain the teen reader in this low fantasy/ghost story. Family is important to Nobody Owens, since his real family was murdered, his ghost family/guardian care for him very deeply and try to keep him safe.
AWARDS/ REVIEW EXCERPTS:
Newbery Medal 2009, Hugo Awards 2009, Locus Awards 2009, Audie Award 2009, Elizabeth Burr/Worzalla Award2009, Book Sense Book of the Year 2009, American Library Association Notable Books for Children 2009, Carnegie Medal 2010, Bluegrass Award 2010
From School Library Journal
"...Gaiman has created a rich, surprising, and sometimes disturbing tale of dreams, ghouls, murderers, trickery, and family.—Megan Honig, New York Public Library
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
From BookList
This is an utterly captivating tale that is cleverly told through an entertaining cast of ghostly characters. There is plenty of darkness, but the novel’s ultimate message is strong and life affirming. Although marketed to the younger YA set, this is a rich story with broad appeal and is highly recommended for teens of all ages. Grades 6-10. --Holly Koelling
CONNECTIONS:
CRITICAL ANALYSIS: Teen reader will enjoy this tale of an orphan boy Nobody Owens, who is raised by ghost in a grave yard, after this real family is murdered. The murderer is still after him and to keep him safe, he finds his way to a graveyard, where he is adopted by ghosts. The setting itself will be intriguing to the teen reader. Walking among grave sites, speaking to the inhabitants, sleeping in a crypt and living among the dead may appeal to the teen readers, who are into death, Gothic themes and supernatural elements. The other characters, ghosts as friends, escaping ghouls and having a werewolf/hound of hell as a substitute teacher, add to the mystery of the plot and with entertain the teen reader in this low fantasy/ghost story. Family is important to Nobody Owens, since his real family was murdered, his ghost family/guardian care for him very deeply and try to keep him safe.
AWARDS/ REVIEW EXCERPTS:
Newbery Medal 2009, Hugo Awards 2009, Locus Awards 2009, Audie Award 2009, Elizabeth Burr/Worzalla Award2009, Book Sense Book of the Year 2009, American Library Association Notable Books for Children 2009, Carnegie Medal 2010, Bluegrass Award 2010
From School Library Journal
"...Gaiman has created a rich, surprising, and sometimes disturbing tale of dreams, ghouls, murderers, trickery, and family.—Megan Honig, New York Public Library
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
From BookList
This is an utterly captivating tale that is cleverly told through an entertaining cast of ghostly characters. There is plenty of darkness, but the novel’s ultimate message is strong and life affirming. Although marketed to the younger YA set, this is a rich story with broad appeal and is highly recommended for teens of all ages. Grades 6-10. --Holly Koelling
CONNECTIONS:
ORPHANS
CEMETERIES
SUPERNATURAL
GHOSTS
CEMETERIES
SUPERNATURAL
GHOSTS
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